Kids Helping Feed Hungry Kids

Sharon Meyers, one of our Spatulatta Mamas, approached us with an idea. Sharon had heard of woman who was willing to donate whole wheat flour to any organization that would use it to feed hungry kids.

With a little help from Spatulatta Papa, James Hill III, we put together a plan that would benefit Chicago Commons' breakfast program for preschoolers.

Chicago Commons runs Child Development programs in three of Chicago's neediest neighborhoods: Pilsen, West Humboldt Park and New City (Back of the Yards). The outstanding program uses the Reggio Emilia approach to early learning. The program not only provides preschoolers with rich learning experiences, it also provides programming to strengthen the whole family.

Sharon called and got 250 pounds of whole wheat pastry flour donated.

Eagle Scouts from Evanston Troop 916 helped pick up the sacks of flour at the Randolph Street Cold Storage and parceled the flour into manageable bags.

They are joined by the Girl Scout Troop that Spatulatta's host, Olivia Gerasole, belongs to, in pledging to bake whole wheat fruit and nut bars for bake sales here on the North Shore.

Our co-sponsors on the project are:

Whole Foods Evanston North - They donated the 100 pounds of oatmeal and 20 pounds of dried cranberries.

Jackie's on Prairie - Chef Jonadab Silva donated 500 baking pans.

The Spice House - Patty and Tom Erd donated the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice.

The initial sales will take place on:

October 7, 2010 at 6-9 PM on Central Street's Retail Therapy night. We'll be stationed in front of Weichert Realtors 2006 Central Street, Evanston 60201.

October 9, 2010 8 AM to 1 PM at the French Market in the Village Center, Wilmette, IL. The Village Center is Central Avenue & Green Bay Road near the Metra Station. The time the scouts will be selling is to be determined.

We're also looking for at least 2 other farmers' markets to present the baked goods.

So if you're in the Chicago area, you can get a double dose of goodness. First some yummy whole wheat fruit and nut bars then secondly, the good feeling of having helped Chicago Commons continue their great work.

Here's the recipe we'll be using:

SPATULATTA Whole Wheat Fruit Bars

2 cups whole wheat flour

3/4 cup regular oatmeal

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

3/4 cup of applesauce

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg - beaten

1 tsp vanilla

1½ tsp of ground cinnamon

¾ tsp ground nutmeg

¾ tsp ground clove

¾ tsp ground allspice

1/3 cup maple syrup

¼ cup apple juice

1 cup of fresh blueberries or dried cranberries

3/4 cup of chopped nuts (optional)

Cooking spray

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large electric mixer bowl, mix the applesauce, oil, egg, vanilla, spices, baking powder, baking soda, salt and syrup or sorghum. Mix well.

Add the flour and oatmeal. Mix again.

Add the fruit and nuts. Stir in, gently, by hand.

Spray a 9 X 13 baking pan. Spread the batter into the pan. It will be stiff but spread it out to the corners.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick stuck into the cake part comes out clean.